XFL

About

XFL is the name of a professional football league started as a joint venture by Vince McMahon of the WWE and NBC. The league attempted to add elements of professional wrestling, such as storylines and kayfabe, to professional football. However, waning interest due to the wrestling elements and poor quality of play led the league to fold after only one season. In late 2017, it was rumored that McMahon was interested in bringing the XFL back.

History

The XFL was founded as a joint venture by NBC and the WWF-owned subsidiary WWE Properties International.^[1] It was first announced on February 3rd, 2000. The league would present itself similarly to WWE, which was in its Attitude Era, and promise sex and violence. Also promised were less penalties for roughness and fewer penalties overall. The league also featured trash-talking stadium announcers and cheerleaders who were encouraged to date the players. It also innovated use of the "sky cam," which NFL broadcasts would not adopt until much later.

The league had three televised games each week. The first game was broadcast on February 3rd, 2001, played between the Las Vegas Outlaws and the New York/New Jersey Hitmen. The game eschewed the traditional coin toss to determine first possession and instead went with a "human scramble." In the first scramble, a player separated his shoulder and missed the rest of the season.

The first game was viewed by 14 million viewers. Though that was double what NBC promised advertisers, viewership of the league quickly dropped to minuscule levels. The league was won by the Los Angeles Xtreme, in the league's championship, The Million Dollar Game. WWF and NBC reported a loss of $35 million dollars on the league. Critics and sports journalists paid the league little mind; noted sportswriter Bob Costas called the league "high school football with the presentation of a tawdry strip club." The XFL folded after one season.

Legacy

The XFL has been often cited as one of the worst blunders and failures in television history. It ranked number 3 in TV Guide's 2002 list of worst television shows in history. It was ESPN's number 2 biggest flop in sports. In 2017, ESPN, created a 30 for 30 film about the XFL.^[2]

Revival Rumors

On December 15th, 2017, it was reported that McMahon was seriously interested in reviving the XFL. The WWE released a statement that McMahon is launching a company called "Alpha Entertainment," which will supposedly look into other entertainment avenues, including professional football. McMahon^[3] has sold $100 million of WWE shares to potentially invest in the league's revival.

2020 Return

On January 25th, 2018, McMahon confirmed in an interview with ESPN^[4] that the XFL would be returning in 2020. McMahon stressed that the two year gap between the announcement and the launch of the league would ensure a higher quality of play as he had more time to prepare.

The first season of the new XFL will feature a ten-week schedule and eight teams, all of which McMahon will own, with two semi-final games and a championship at the end of the season. According to McMahon, the new XFL will not feature the gimmicks that categorizes the league's previous season, and instead focus on a more immersive, quicker style of football than that presented in the NFL. He noted that the XFL will not tolerate #TakeAKnee protests, nor will players with a criminal record. A trailer for the new league was uploaded by the XFL YouTube account that day.

Online, some fans reacted with predictions that the XFL could be more successful this time around than during its original run. Two threads in /r/SquaredCircle^[5][6] gained over 2,500 and 350 upvotes, respectively, with fans commenting the league could be successful considering the plan McMahon laid out. Twitter user and Giant Bomb producer Dan Ryckert predicted the league may be successful in winning over fans who had stopped watching the NFL over the #TakeAKnee protests.^[7]

Cancellation and Bankruptcy

Due to the 2020 Coronavirus outbreak, the XFL ended up scrapping its revival season on March 20, 2020. In an official statement, the XFL stated:

"The COVID-19 pandemic, and the most recent local and state regulations, have left the XFL no choice but to officially cancel the remainder of the 2020 season,” the league said in a statement. “This decision has been made with the health and safety of the entire XFL family as our top priority. While we are disappointed to not complete the 2020 season, our hearts are full of appreciation for your overwhelming support.”^[8]

On April 13, 2020 the XFL filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. In a statement, the XFL stated:

"The XFL quickly captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of people who love football. Unfortunately, as a new enterprise, we were not insulated from the harsh economic impacts and uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Accordingly, we have filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. This is a heartbreaking time for many, including our passionate fans, players and staff, and we are thankful to them, our television partners, and the many Americans who rallied to the XFL for the love of football."^[9]

On April 17, it was announced the XFL was looking into a potential sale of the brand as part of its bankruptcy proceedings.^[10]

Search Interest

External References